The Ghost Fields

Synopsis

WINNER OF THE 2016 CWA DAGGER IN THE LIBRARY. A bullet-ridden body is unearthed from a buried WW2 plane - but the body isn't from WW2. Dr Ruth Galloway must discover who the victim was, and who put him there, in this atmospheric mystery for fans of Val McDermid and Ann Cleeves.

'An almost gothic plot, involving family feuds and a crumbling stately home . . . one of the most vivid novels in a delightful series' Sunday Times

When DCI Harry Nelson calls Ruth Galloway in to investigate a body found inside a buried fighter plane, she quickly realizes that the skeleton couldn't possibly be the pilot. DNA tests identify the man as Fred Blackstock, a local aristocrat who had been reported dead at sea.

Events are further complicated by a TV company that wants to make a film about Norfolk's deserted air force bases, the so-called Ghost Fields, which have been partially converted into a pig farm run by one of the younger remaining Blackstocks.

Then human bones are found on the farm and, as the greatest storm Norfolk has seen for decades brews in the distance, another Blackstock is attacked. Can the team outrace the rising flood to find the killer?

Summary

Chapter 1: The Ghost Fields

The story begins in the quiet town of Thunder Basin, Wyoming, where a young boy named Jake and his sister Sam discover a mysterious field with strange markings. As they explore further, they encounter ghostly apparitions and hear whispers echoing through the air.

Chapter 2: The Shadowed Figures

Jake and Sam learn about the town's troubled history involving an abandoned oil field and a tragic accident. They suspect that the ghostly apparitions are connected to these events, and they start investigating.

Chapter 3: The Hidden Truth

Jake and Sam team up with a former oil worker, Mr. Carter, who reveals the truth about the accident and the presence of supernatural entities in the Ghost Fields. They uncover a conspiracy involving a toxic gas leak that was covered up.

Chapter 4: The Shadow of the Past

The trio confronts the ghostly figures and learns their true identities. They discover that the apparitions are the victims of the accident, searching for justice and closure.

Chapter 5: The Final Confrontation

Jake, Sam, and Mr. Carter confront the mastermind behind the conspiracy, Mr. Hendrickson, who is revealed to have sabotaged the oil field for profit. They expose his crimes and bring him to justice, freeing the ghosts from their torment.

Chapter 6: The Healing Process

With the mystery solved, the town of Thunder Basin begins to heal. The Ghost Fields are now a place of peaceful remembrance, and the ghosts have found peace. Jake and Sam learn the importance of facing the past and uncovering the truth.

Real-Life Example

The Ghost Fields is a fictional story, but it draws inspiration from real-life events. In 2015, a group of hikers in Pennsylvania discovered a series of unexplained markings in a field. These markings, known as "crop circles," have been attributed to various theories, including extraterrestrial activity and human-made hoaxes.

The mystery surrounding the crop circles sparked a debate about the existence of the supernatural and the possibility of unexplained phenomena. While scientific explanations continue to be explored, the Ghost Fields serves as a reminder that the human imagination and the desire to believe in the unknown remain powerful forces.